ETFE Membrane Structure Inflatable Canopy of Chongqing East Railway Station

The design of the Chongqing East Railway Station building reflects the local cultural characteristics of Chongqing. It incorporates the artistic techniques commonly used in Chinese landscape paintings. The curved lines on the inflatable dome of the waiting hall also reflect the unique beauty of Chongqing’s landscapes, symbolizing the connection between the vast and beautiful natural scenery across the region.

The sunlight shines upon the tea gardens in Chongqing. Above the steel frame canopy of the Chongqing East Railway Station, the ETFE air-pillow membrane roof is embedded in the steel framework like sparkling water droplets. The water-drop-shaped air-pillows are arranged in a precise and harmonious pattern, reflecting the design concept of “Landscape of Bayu”; the sturdy, tree-like columns, on the other hand, symbolize the towering trees of the Huangjue species.

The ETFE waterproofing membrane weighs less than 1% of the weight of glass and has a light transmittance of up to 95%, which significantly reduces the load on the roof. Its surface has strong hydrophobic properties, making it easy for dust and stains to be washed away by rainwater, thus reducing cleaning costs. Additionally, ETFE effectively blocks ultraviolet rays. The multiple air layers present in the material act as an insulation canopy layer, greatly enhancing the comfort of the environment inside the building.

When the first high-speed train left the platform, the sunlight penetrated through this “Eye of the Sky,” illuminating the countless scales on the steel pillars as well as the railway tracks that connect this mountainous city to the rest of the world. This was not just the completion of a inflatable architecture, it was also the beginning of a golden age for this city.